ABSTRACT
This study was conducted aiming to compare between strict adherence to the universal precautions and anti HCV seropositive patients isolation as a preventive measure. To fulfill this aim, 80 anti HCV seronegative patients and 44 staff members working in three hemodialysis units were included in the study. A predesigned questionnaire was filled for all patients that included history of hepatitis risk factors, which are related, or not to dialysis process. Another questionnaire was filled for all medical and paramedical staff in the studied units, which included their knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) as regard HCV. Pretest was done, followed by health education program (HEP). A posttest was performed after one month and every 6 months for 18 months. An observational sheet was filled by one of the researchers to describe the hemodialysis units environment and to record the practice of the staff in the studied units. Blood samples were collected from the study subjects at baseline, every 3 months for patients and every 6 months for the staff. Sera were separated and tested for anti HCV seropositivity using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] test third generation. Marked increase in staff's knowledge was evident one month after HEP and decreased gradually throughout the follow up period. The attitude was slightly elevated and remained nearly unchanged throughout the follow up. Only in unit A the mean preventive score was markedly increased 6 months after HEP and remained high throughout the follow up period. The incidence rate of anti HCV seroconversion decreased in unit A from (10% to 0%), where universal precautions was applied, and in unit C from (24.4% to 10%), where isolation of anti seropositive patients was done in the first and third 6 months of the follow up period respectively. It increased in unit B, where no measure was taken, from 10.5% to 16.7%.
